Route to IOSH CertIOSH with Level 6 and Level 7 NVQs

What is IOSH

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) is the largest chartered professional body for health and safety practitioners. IOSH sets recognised professional standards, supports career development and provides globally respected membership grades such as CertIOSH and Chartered (CMIOSH).

What is CertIOSH

CertIOSH is the Certified Member grade of IOSH. It recognises professionals who have:

  • A relevant, recognised Level 6 or degree-level qualification in occupational safety and health, and

  • Suitable, verifiable workplace experience in health and safety leadership.

Many practitioners use CertIOSH as a stepping stone to Chartered Membership (CMIOSH).

Why NVQs Are a Strong Route to CertIOSH

CADUK delivers two senior-level qualifications that can support IOSH membership applications:

These diplomas are evidence-based qualifications built entirely on real workplace competence. There are no exams, no simulations and no classroom attendance. All assessment is based on real health and safety activities carried out in your role.

You Already Need Strong Experience Before You Can Start the NVQ

A crucial point for IOSH suitability:

If a learner does not already have substantial, relevant health and safety experience, they cannot enrol onto the NVQ in the first place.

Our profiling and induction process ensures that candidates:

  • Already work in a health and safety role

  • Already carry out OSH responsibilities day-to-day

  • Already influence health and safety policy, systems and performance

  • Already have sufficient real-world evidence to demonstrate competence

This means that by the time a learner completes the NVQ, they naturally meet IOSH’s requirement for practical OSH experience.

How the NVQ Supports CertIOSH Applications

Once the NVQ is achieved, candidates typically submit:

  • The Level 6 or Level 7 qualification certificate

  • A detailed CV outlining their current and previous OSH responsibilities

  • Evidence of continued professional development (CPD), which IOSH requires for all professional members

IOSH then reviews the qualification and experience to determine whether the applicant meets the requirements for Certified Membership.

Why Professionals Choose the NVQ Route to IOSH

The NVQ route is popular because:

  • It is fully work-based and fits around busy schedules

  • It recognises existing experience rather than requiring exams

  • It provides an efficient route to a recognised professional grade

  • It strengthens career prospects in consultancy, management and strategic OSH roles

  • It builds a portfolio of evidence showing competence in real situations

The NVQ route remains ideal for people who want both a recognised qualification and IOSH membership progression.

Summary

CADUK’s Level 6 and Level 7 health and safety qualifications provide a credible and highly practical pathway toward IOSH Certified Membership (CertIOSH). Because only experienced OSH professionals are accepted onto these NVQs, candidates naturally meet IOSH’s experience requirement and can use the completed qualifications to support their membership applications.

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